1. A Unique Metalolic Sysdrone Causes Obesity in the Melanocortin-3 Receptor-Deficient Mouse
- Author
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Khong K, Dekoning J, Cullen Mj, Robert A. Kesterson, Pelleymounter Ma, Andrew A. Butler, Roger D. Cone, and Baetscher M
- Subjects
Male ,medicine.medical_specialty ,Genetic Vectors ,Adipose tissue ,Biology ,Carbohydrate metabolism ,Energy homeostasis ,Mice ,Absorptiometry, Photon ,Endocrinology ,Melanocortin receptor ,Central melanocortin system ,Internal medicine ,medicine ,Animals ,Obesity ,RNA, Messenger ,Cloning, Molecular ,Receptor ,Mice, Knockout ,Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ,Calorimetry, Indirect ,Melanocortin 3 receptor ,Diet ,medicine.anatomical_structure ,Adipose Tissue ,Receptors, Corticotropin ,Gene Targeting ,Melanocortin ,Energy Metabolism ,Receptor, Melanocortin, Type 3 - Abstract
The central melanocortin system is critical for the long term regulation of energy homeostasis. Null mutations of the melanocortin-4 receptor (MC4-R) are associated with hyperphagia, obesity, and accelerated longitudinal growth in mice and humans. However, little is known about the function of another central melanocortin receptor, the MC3-R. To assess the role of the MC3-R in energy homeostasis, the majority of the mc3r coding sequence was deleted from the mouse genome. In contrast to the MC4-R knockout, which exhibits increased food intake, increased somatic growth, and defects in metabolism, mc3r-/- mice exhibit an exclusively metabolic syndrome. Homozygous null mc3r mice, while not significantly overweight, exhibit an approximately 50% to 60% increase in adipose mass. Mc3r-/- mice also exhibit an unusual increase in respiratory quotient when transferred onto high fat chow, suggesting a reduced ratio of fat/carbohydrate oxidation. Furthermore, male mc3r-/- mice also exhibit an approximately 50% reduction in locomotory behavior on the running wheel, suggesting reduced energy expenditure.
- Published
- 2000